The city's budget is taking a hit from Indian casinos and e-commerce, and a reduction in city services could result, the mayor said Thursday.
Mayor Jim Baca, in an interview with KOAT Action 7 News, called for unspecified changes in how Albuquerque approaches its economic future. The city uses the money, which comes from gross-receipts taxes, to maintain municipal services. Without it, cutbacks and an increase in retirements may result, Baca said.
Gross-receipts taxes have decreased in recent years, he said.
"That's really attributable to a couple things," Baca said. "One is Internet sales, which are not taxed, and also the casinos. The casinos are taking a lot of money out of the economy. That money is not being spent in grocery stores and clothing stores. So we lose out on that gross-receipts tax, too."
Three Pueblo Indian casinos are located within a few minutes of the city.
Baca told Action 7 News that he'd like to see state personal income tax revenue distributed to municipalities around the state.

ALBUQUERQUE —

The city's budget is taking a hit from Indian casinos and e-commerce, and a reduction in city services could result, the mayor said Thursday.